Adivasis on Monday staged a massive dharna in front of ITDA, Utnoor, demanding that the state government reserve 75 per cent of the jobs as per GO 109 for the local Adivasis of agency areas in police recruitment in the state and implement GO 3.

The protest action was organised under the banner of Thudum Debba. Adivasi Sena leaders and cadre led by its state president Kova Doulath Rao extended their support.

The Adivasis also demanded that the state and central governments appoint a commission for the removal of Lambadas from the ST list and issue Recognition of Forest Rights (ROFR) pattas to the podu lands that have been cultivated for long years.

Adivasis from across the erstwhile Adilabad district participated in the massive rally and dharna. Later, they submitted a memorandum to the project officer, Manda Makarandu.

The project officer said they have already submitted a report to the state government on the issue of lack of special provision for reservations to Adivasis of the agency areas in police recruitment notification. He said, “We can’t do anything at our level on the GO-3, as it was struck down by the Supreme Court. A way out is possible through new legislation in Parliament.”

Addressing the participants, state president of Tudum Debba, Godam Ganesh, alleged that forest officials were harassing the adivasis cultivating podu lands. The officials, he said, are not allowing the digging of borewells and development works in those villages and obstructing the construction of Indiramma houses.

Tudum Debba leaders Ramanala Laxmaiah, Soyam Chinnaiah and Kolam Sangam leader Kodapa Sonerao, Tekam Bhaskar, Godam Gopi Chand, Madavi Venkatesh, Pendore Pushparani and others were present.

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